Chapter 276 - Greatness of Umāpati

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Īśvara said:

1-5. Thereafter, O great goddess, a pilgrim should go to the extremely (desire-granting) great Kṣetra named Devikā (Kṣetra) in the vicinity of Ṛṣitīrtha.

There is a great park named Mahāsiddhivana there surrounded by (i.e. full of) sages and Siddhas. It is full of various kinds of trees and creepers embellishing the mountains. It is rendered beautiful with various kinds of trees and flowers such as Caṃpaka, Bakula, divine Aśoka with great bunches of flowers Punnāga, Kiṅkirāta, sweet-scented Nāgakeśara, the flowers of Mallikā, Utpala, Paṭala, Pārijāta, Cūta, Caṃpā, Kapittha, Śrīphala, Panasa, Kharjūra, Badara, Mātuliṅga, Dāḍima, divine Jambīra and Nāraṅga.

6-8a. It appeared to be singing with the sounds of peacocks, cuckoos and black bees. There were various kinds of animals such as deer, bears, boars, lions, tigers and others. There were various kinds of beasts of prey of diverse shapes and sizes. There were caves. There were semidivine beings such as Suras, Asuras, Uragas, Nāgas of many types.

8b-9. Some of them were praying to and eulogizing Īśa and some were dancing in front. Some shower flowers. Others play with their mouths on musical instruments. Others are pleased and they laugh. Others roar.

10-11. Others have raised their arms (in penance) and are absorbed in meditation. O goddess, in that holy place of great auspiciousness on the banks of Devikā there is a shrine named Umāpatīśvara. I am present there always in all the Yugas, Manvantaras and Kalpas.

12. O goddess, I never abandon the splendid banks of Devikā. It is a very rare holy spot in all the worlds. It is sacred and is my favourite.

13. O lady of excellent countenance, I am staying in that holy spot along with you. Since my body is joined with Umā, I am well known as Umāpati.

14. O Pārvatī, one should perform Śrāddha with great purity and mental concentration on the New-Moon day in the Puṣpa Māsa (Puṣyamāsa i.e. Pauṣa). I do not Find any decrease in the benefit in what is offered therein.

15-17. Merely by visiting it a thousand sins of Brāhmaṇa-slaughter vanish. A sensible man should make gifts of cows, lands, gold, garments etc. there. O fair lady, that son is the most excellent one who goes there and performs Śrāddha to the Pitṛs. It has no end. That excellent river was invoked by all the Devas for the purpose of holy bath. Therefore, it is called Devikā. It is destructive of sins.